Halifax Crafter's Winter Market

Hi folks, I am so excited to be included as an exhibitor at this year's Halifax Crafter's Winter Market! Please come out to see the 90 crafters and artisans with their work on display for viewing and purchasing - countdown to Christmas: 36 sleeps! Buying Handmade is buying One-of-a-kind! Come out and support your local artists Halifax and get some holiday shopping off your checklist! 

Christmas Craft Village at Exhibition Park

Photo courtesy of Mr. Hubley (digitalbuild.ca)

I think we're either ambitious or crazy! Maybe a little of both! At the last minute I found out there was a booth available for this weekend's Christmas Craft Village at Exhibition Park, and since I have about half of the stock I've been working on for the last 6 weeks, and we're still packed up, it might be a good opportunity to see what it's about. So if you missed me at the Forum and are looking for some one of a kind handcrafted Christmas gifts - it's another of the largest markets with tons of different vendors........ November 13-15, Exhibition Park on Prospect Road. I've been told I am between The Pampered Damsel Soap and Ki Ko Dog Treats, both out of New Brunswick - I can't wait to see all the stuff and maybe get some of my own Christmas shopping done!

Well.......we did it!

We loaded everything into the Jeep........

............well, almost everything - the shelf got tied on top. 

And we packed all my little pouches into the Forum to setup for the weekend. 

Thanks to all our friends and family for helping out, setting up, covering off shifts (Meg I love you), babysitting, and bringing us hot coffee : )  And thanks to Dare for doing the heavy lifting and helping me in countless ways!

Of course, also a huge thanks to my customers for all your support, it is greatly appreciated! 

Fa la la la la......Christmas at the Forum

Photo courtesy of Mr. Hubley (digitalbuild.ca)

Wow, I've been quite neglectful my bloggy friends. Please forgive me, I've been so busy spending every spare minute I can find to lock myself away in my sewing room! 

Every year I go to the annual 'Christmas at the Forum', a really large crafters and artisan market here in Halifax. It's a perfect way to start getting in the festive mood. When you walk through the door you can hear familiar Christmas Carols playing and the smell of delicious food hits your nose! So not only am I excited to be attending this year, but it's my first time as a vendor there! So this is why I've been so busy, sewing away! 

If you're local, please come visit at the Halifax Forum, November 6, 7 and 8th! 

Get to Know + Giveaway: Maramiki

Meet my latest fabric crush, Maramiki! 

Maramiki is the creation of designer and textile artist, Mara Snipes. I am so thrilled to be hosting this AWESOME giveaway - I'm holding a stack of her remnant fabrics and it is simply gorgeous - super soft and would make some really sweet creations. One of you lucky readers is going to win this beautiful little stack to add to your sewing stash! 

I came across Maramiki on etsy, and was very excited when Mara agreed to give us a little insight into her creative life. Have a read, be inspired, and don't forget to leave us a comment - say hello and let us know your favorite item from her shop...... 

Where are you from, in which city do you currently live?

I was raised in Chicago, and am back in Chicago again by way of a glorious nine-year stint in San Francisco.

How did you become interested in your craft?

I've been drawing since I can remember, little pictures with lots of detail, which is how I see things... up close, with attention to line.  I had wanted to start a creative business for years, but couldn't quite narrow down what I wanted to do.  So I decided to find something to start with, and then go from there.  That was such a liberating moment, to just dive in and see what unfolds.  I also wanted to find a way to make my drawings 'functional'... to have them inhabit everyday, useful objects. I love fabric and texture, so I took a textile screenprinting class last year, and then it clicked.  So I guess I consider myself first a draftsperson, who found a medium in screenprinting and textiles.

Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?

I sell on Etsy, but also sell to a few local stores in Chicago.  My website launched last year, which has been a great marketing tool and I've gotten a lot of custom work from it.  After taking a few months off to have a baby recently, it hit home that I get back what I put into it, so it's an ongoing commitment to keep looking, drawing, designing, and pushing the envelope creatively.  When I get frustrated or stuck, I remind myself that I chose this: I left the corporate world to slow down my lifestyle and do something more personally fulfilling.  It comes with its own challenges but it was the best decision for me.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I think everything influences me to some extent, but nature is my biggest inspiration - getting outside and really paying attention to what's there. I keep a sketchbook with me all the time, and try to get ideas down as they come to me.  I also draw a lot with my daughters (ages three and four and a half), and the things they come up with blow me away!  It's so easy for children - there's no judgment, which lets things flow much more easily.  I don't try too hard to identify where designs or ideas come from, but I stay open to being moved or affected by things in my daily life: the light, air, weather, color.  That feeling of openness is in itself very inspiring.

Where do you do your crafty work? 

I have a studio in my home, with lots of floorspace, good light, and storage for all of my drawings, samples, fabric, crazy projects, and on and on.  It's pretty organized at the moment but it makes me happy to have the floor covered with scraps and trimmings - it means I've been working.

Thanks to Mara for sharing with us! 

 And don't forget to leave us a comment to enter!

A winner will be chosen at random on October 23rd -  Extra entries will be given for blogger followers and tweeters!

**THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED - Congratulations to our winner Shellie of This Little Family! 

Halifax Crafters Market

I found out a few days ago that I was accepted to the Halifax Crafters Christmas Market! 

I had a chance to stop over to their Autumn Harvest show at the North Street Church. It's such a nice venue, lots of character! But I guess that they are outgrowing the space and there's been enough interest that this years Christmas show will be at the Olympic Community Centre, with more room and more vendors (at the corner of Hunter and Cunard) for all you locals..... it's December 5th and 6th, just in time to get shopping for handmade gifts! I got the cutest little squeaker turtle from Susan of The Silver Hook for Taylor, he loves it! 

If you're not in Halifax, I encourage you to find your own local Christmas craft market and support your local artists this holiday season! You'll feel good about supporting local small business owners and giving a one of a kind gift! 

LouLouBell Review at Little Pink Book

I stumbled upon a really great blog a couple months back, Little Pink Book PR. The author, Sasha, generously agreed to do a review of my handmade bags & it was posted today! So if you've ever wanted to know just how much will fit in a little LouLouBell pouch, here's an idea! Thank you Sasha for your nice words!

Garden Salad Servers Giveaway!

My lovely lady Kristi is hosting a great giveaway to help you get started with checking gifts off your Christmas shopping list! Have a visit to her awesome blog, Visible Voice and leave a comment for a chance to win these super cute salad servers! 

iPhone Cases and New Fabrics!

 

Hi friends, I've got some new and really fun fabrics in the shop, I'm so loving the black Nosegay with the lace! And I recently started listing the perfect fit iPhone case, it's just the right size to fit your iPhone so you're not just tossing it in your purse...and I'm hoping you'll agree much prettier than the ones found at the phone dealers 

: ) 

Bridesmaid Giveaway.....

For any of you brides-to-be out there, the ladies over at Junebug Weddings (a beautiful, inspirational wedding blog) are hosting a giveaway of 3 of my LouLouBell pouches as bridesmaids gifts..... Fill them with accessories, beauty products, candies and other fun things - as a thank you gift, or a grab-n-go for all the essentials on the big day! 

PS: If you have an upcoming wedding, and LouLouBell is going to be a little part of your big day, I would love for you to share pics! Keep in touch : )